Manali is located near the end of the valley on the Highway towards to city of Leh an altitude of 2,050 mts / 6,398 ft from sea level. The landscape is simply awesome as one can experience natural beauty in abundance. One can see clear view of snow capped mountains, the Beas River flowing with clear & roaring water through the city. The region offers magnificent views of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal Mountain Ranges, and with mountain adventures lovers pouring in from all directions, Manali is a attracts tourists for all round year. It is an ideal place for a vacation, a hot favorite stopover for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti and Zanskar ranges. From temples to palaces, to picture perfect serene spots and adventure sports, Manali is a famous town for all seasons and for all travel enthusiasts. Many honeymooners & families come for the fresh mountain air and experience of snow on a daylong trip to Rohtang Pass.
Manali acts as the main transit point for Lahual, Spiti and Ladakh (June – October), it is a perfect spot to take some rest for a few days before continuing the onward journey deep into the mountains
Weather / Climatic Conditions
Minimum temp can fall below -5°C from October to March. December, January and February are the coolest months. Rest of the year, the minimum temperature varies between 15 – 20°C.
Travel by Road to Manali from Delhi
- Driving Time- 12 to 14 Hrs
- Distance- Around 570 kms
Manali Route:
(NH1)Delhi – Panipat – Karnal – Ambala – (NH22) Zirakpur – Chandigarh – Kharar – (NH21) Rupnagar – Swarghat – Bilaspur – Sundernagar – Mandi – Aut – Bhuntar – Kullu – Manali
The stretch from Delhi to Panipat now is as smooth as silk, whole stretch from Ring Road to the Delhi border has been in fine shape, as series of flyovers have been completed, reducing the travel time drastically. Wide roads with few traffic lights ensure that you can zip past this stretch now. After Panipat, the Road till Ambala is little troublesome. There are quite a few diversions due to work on the various flyovers which are in different stages of completion. Driving through Karnal can take a good 15-30 minutes depending on traffic conditions. You now have few good options for food, such as Jhilmil Dhaba, The Savoy, Haveli & one also has Sagar Ratna nearby if someone wants to enjoy South Indian Food.
The drive through Ambala Chandigarh expressway is simply flawless in terms of the overall experience and you get to Zirakpur in no time. Zirakpur is crowded as many vendors occupy the main highway, anyone coming here after a gap of a few years is going to be overwhelmed by the construction which has taken place.
Shift to NH 21 via Chandigarh and continue on it. This is the fine stretch of highway. They are all dual carriageways with less amount of traffic. So you can get some good speed to move on. When you hit a split flyover with one going right and over a river, you’re in Kiratpur Sahib. Just look out for a tiny board which points towards Manali. For the next few km there are some bad patches, so be very, very careful here. After crossing the toll, the roads are in good shape. There are series of blind corners, hairpin bends and some short straight stretches with villages alongside. There is good amount of heavy vehicular traffic which moves at snail’s pace and sometimes it can get frustrating when you are constantly trying to get ahead of the lot. Make sure that you do not overtake on blind corners as it is risky to do so.
This road will take you to Bilsapur city. If you want to pick up some snacks & drinks, this is a good place. Once past Bilaspur, you will reach to the dam over river Beas. From here the road climbs up rapidly. The stretch is good and there are some really nice bends & corners that will make your drive interesting.
You will reach a small town called Mandi which is a important area on you journey to Manali. Moving little away from Mandi you will cross over Pandoh Dam and come close to the long Mandi tunnel. Keep your windows rolled up and your AC running because the tunnel is always filled with smoke & pollution. Also look out for vehicles that are trying to overtake inside the tunnel too. After the tunnel ends you’ll be in Kullu in short period of time. Once you reach Kullu, it’s just over an hour drive to Manali city.
Traffic Situation in Manali:
Lack of proper parking space in Manali and its various popular spots including Rohtang, Marhi, Vashisht and Manikaran, besides the famous Hadimba temple, makes things difficult for tourists, besides traffic jam for hours together during peak season. Haphazard parking on roads leads to more serious situations in the area as tourists end up spending lot of time in finding space for parking. Marhi and Beas Nullah have capacity of around 200 vehicles for parking but more than 2,000 vehicles can makes things very difficult. Hadimba and Vashisht temple, each have a parking capacity of 50 vehicles, Manikaran 300 vehicles and Solang valley has a parking capacity of 400 vehicles. Problem arises when the number of` vehicles that reach these places is much greater than their capacity.
So find out below mention tourist places to visit in Manali which gives you a unique charm.
Hadimba Devi Temple
It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimba Devi which was built in the year 1553. The temple is surrounded by a dense forest at the Himalayan foothills. The sanctuary is built over a big rock coming out of the ground, which was worshipped as the deity.
Maa Sharvari Temple
This temple is represented to as Kuldevi of the lords of Kullu in right on time and is loved as an indication of Durga, and picture of the goddess is enshrined here. The holiness is famously worshipped all through the locale amid the celebrations and the Goddess is transported to Kullu to visit the Lord Raghunathji amid Dussehra celebration. This sanctuary is on the highest point of over the Shaminallah town, which is around 5km from Manali, across the river Beas.
Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temple
Around 3km from Manali, over the Beas stream is Vashist, a little town with sulfur springs & advanced bathhouses, with Turkish-style showers, have the high temp water piped into them for the guests’ accommodation who come here to benefit by the restorative properties. Hand over your wallet and assets to a trusted individual for care before you enter the springs for a shower. Separate tanks for men and ladies are given in the complex.
Kullu Valley
Kullu is the capital town of the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of the River Beas in the Kullu Valley around ten kilometers north of the air terminal at Bhuntar. Kullu is a wide open valley shaped by the River Beas in the middle of Manali and Largi. This valley is renowned for its temples, excellence and its superb hills secured with Pine and Deodar Forest and sprawling Apple Orchards. Kullu valley is sandwiched between the Pir Panjal, Lower Himalayan and Great Himalayan range.
Kothi
Kothi is located near the bottom of Rohtang Pass. It is a beautiful and photographic area where tourists can experience different views of the deep gorge through which the River Beas swiftly runs. This is an astounding place to feel the natural beauty of high altitude mountain.
Bijli Mahadev Temple
A standout amongst the most amazing types of craftsmanship in India. It is situated at 2,435 mt. from ocean level and is over 20 km from Kullu over the River Beas, it can be approached by a short and beautiful trek of 3 km. The sanctuary’s staff is 60 feet high and can be seen from the Kullu valley as well. It is the most noteworthy point around Kullu from where all panoramic views of Kullu and Paravati valleys can be experienced. In this temple of lightning, it is said that the tall staff grts the divine blessings in the form of lightning. It is believed that the priest of the temple has to restore the Shiva linga placed inside the temple using butter and sattoo after every lightning as it breaks to pieces with a flash of lightning.
Solang Valley
Prominently known as Snow Point, is 13 km northwest of Manali and popular for its 300m ski lift amid winter season. It is a pleasant spot and offers magnificent perspectives of glaciers and the snow-capped mountains. Solang valley also offers attractions like paragliding, snorkeling and so on.
Naggar
Situated in Naggar Town, 22 km from Manali in the midst of amazing forested hills, the Naggar Castle is a heavenly chronicled spot to visit. Made of stone and wood, this royal residence served as the habitation of Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu. It was built in AD 1460 in a noteworthy combination of European and Himalayan structural planning. In the year 1978, the château was changed over into a heritage hotel, that is run by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC). The blessed Beas River streams near the castle, adding magnificence and holiness to it.
Rohtang Pass
Resting at an elevation of 3,979m (13,050 ft) above ocean level, is another adventure tourist site where it can be icy even on a late summer day. It is the most astounding point on the Manali-Keylong road and gives a wide all vas perspective view of mountains rising above clouds, which is genuinely stunning. Important to note that the way to Rohtang Pass is closed at Manali bridge, on all Tuesdays 09:00-18:00 for completing road extending work and repairs. Amid summers the movement is too substantial on this stretch and long to very long traffic jams happen. Rohtang is closed during winter season. Beas Kund, an igloo formed temple, on top has a spring which is the starting point of River Beas.
Food & Beverage
The made school of thought nature of Manali has season its cooking a lot of character. Plums and apples square measure nearly a staple diet, freshly plucked from the sprawling orchards that fill the vale. Home mature country vegetables and fruits square measure standard within the morning market and most well-liked to supply from alternative regions. Therefore it’s inevitable that you just end up consumption favourites like plums, apricots and apples around city. Dhabas play standard stops on the incline, and serve beautiful Rotis and Curry that fireplace your senses within the chill. Watch out for drinking regular water and forever confirm you’ve got lots of drinking water where you propose to travel. Tibetan food is pleasant and distinct here as there square measure lots of refugees living in city. Native wine from barley and red rice, called Chakti and Lugri, square measure pleasant to style.
The Mall Road, that homes the most market, is usually packed, however has quite few places to eat. The Him coop Juice Bar, a small spot corner look is understood to serve its customers freshly squeezed fruit drinks since 1972. Need to refresh yourself when a protracted day out? This is often wherever you would like to form a stop. You even get contemporary Apple potable here. Head to the Chopsticks edifice for hearty Tibetan fare. The German bakeshop has beautiful baked goodies like Cinnamon Rolls and Banana Cakes. Peters Café, close to the German bakeshop, is famous as a hipster haunt and therefore the best breakfast place in city. Bob Dylan’s Café, set within the heart of recent Manali, is for drifters and poets. Cookies, sandwiches, occasional and speech square measure forever on the table here. The Moondance Garden, right opposite, has thick soups for cold nights and a noteworthy multi-cuisine menu. Khyber could be a great spot to grab a drink.
Shopping in Manali
The Mall Road could be a great spot to buy for souvenirs and alternative keepsakes once in Manali.
Shawls, tweed jackets, natural oils, nuts, silver jewelry and bamboo product square measure on prime of each shopper’s list. Vashisht village is understood for a gem store that deals with beautiful silver ornaments, unset and semi-precious stones. Dialogue is that the key to sensible buys here as most things square measure expensive keeping commercial enterprise in mind.
There square measure quite few outlets that sell Tibetan and Kashmiri handicrafts, however bear in mind, the costs could be enthusiastically. However, get little curios, prayer wheels and Tibetan amulets if you’ll, they create for sweet keepsakes.
Must Dos
Heli-skiing and yak sport square measure 2 of the foremost distinctive activities in Manali. Yak sport is associate intriguing thanks to ski; the yak is bound to a rope whereas the athlete is wound by a machine. The yak then charges downhill whereas the athlete gets force up the slope. This is often actually mindboggling! If that imply courageousness, get transported to a distant slope on the Rohtang Pass and feel the hormone rush of sport downhill on a slope with unknown twists and turns!
High-altitude mountain climbing, trekking and mountain climbing tours square measure offered by the Manali mountain climbing Institute. On bright summer days, fancy each day riding horseback or mountain biking through Manali’s lush forests. Go fishing within the gushing Beas or dive into its spine-tingling freshness whereas difficult the rapids downstream. Buy goodies all afternoon on Manali’s Mall Road, and provides in to the teasing aroma of contemporary cardamom tea whereas look the planet outside later.
Yoga trekking could be a one-of-a-kind expertise whereas in Manali. Health and upbeat buffs will infuse some spiritualism in their vacation by coupling their high-altitude climb with Himalayan yoga. Foot massages and reflexology techniques can leave you contemporary and energized. The Himalayan outside Centre organizes yoga treks for interested teams.
Adventure
There square measure lots of activities for adventurists and life enthusiasts in Manali. The Beas stream could be a standard spot for froth rafting and fishing. To undertake yak sport or heli-skiing, contact renowned tour operators within the region like Trans Himalayan Adventures. Most agencies may also facilitate organize vehicles just in case you wish to undertake a automobile campaign round the city space, or mountain biking.
Get glorious views of the vale from the sky with an eggbeater campaign. Few eggbeater flights happen throughout April to June, therefore book well ahead!
Travel Tips
Marijuana grows freely within the Himachal region, and its commonplace to ascertain the plant around city. The region thus has become disreputable for the illicit drug trade. Remember of anyone attempting to sell you packets to require home or asking if you may drop it off with an exponent in your town. keep afar from strangers World Health Organization elicit favours. The police square measure fast to arrest anyone in possession of the slightest amount of marijuana.
